Improving Performance of Microelectronics Using Nanoscale Testing

Table of Contents

Introduction

The microelectronics sector advances at a rapid pace. Gaining a technical lead in this industry can be crucial to securing a market advantage. It is important to have testing processes in place that can measure future performance of potential new materials and coatings that offer enhanced performance, rapidly, reliably and cost effectively.

NanoTest Vantage

The NanoTest Vantage system from Micro Materials combines several nanomechanical testing techniques into a single instrument. It can also operate at temperatures up to 750°C which means that it is being used increasingly to characterise high temperature and high performance materials and components such as airframes and avionics across the aerospace industry.

Nano-Scale Tests to Optimize Reliability

Lead-containing (Sn-Pb) solder joints have been used widely in the micro-electronics industry for decades. Lead-free solders such as SAC (Sn-Ag-Cu) have been developed for domestic use. Their reliability is still questioned since they have not been characterized as well as their lead-containing counterparts. This is especially under the case under working conditions as seen in micro-electronics applications where industrial studies have shown that failure rates are too high and degradation mechanisms differ from those in domestic applications. These tests are reliably performed using the NanoTest Vantage.

The image shows solder bond failure due to IMC formation.

Conclusion

The NanoTest Vantage is a reliable instrument used to perform nanomechanical tests for materials used in the microelectronics sector.

About Micro Materials

Established in 1988 Micro Materials has continually been at the forefront of innovation, with our pioneering approach leading to three world firsts:

The first commercial nanoscale impact tester, for erosive wear, toughness and contact fatigue.

The first commercial high temperature nanoindentation stage, capable of reaching temperatures up to 750°C.

The first liquid cell, allowing the testing of samples which are fully immersed in a fluid.

Micro Materials provides innovative, versatile nanomechanical test instrumentation, and respond to developments in applications in response to customer and market requirements. The integrity, reliability and accuracy of our equipment is paramount, as is our relationship with our users.

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Micro Materials.